Experimental study of an alternative precast concrete beam–column connection with embedded steel block detail

Precast systems have gained increasing popularity due to their advantages in construction speed, cost efficiency, and quality control. However, past earthquakes have revealed that beam–column connections are often the most vulnerable regions in precast structures, making their seismic performance a critical area of investigation. This study investigates the cyclic behavior of two full-scale precast specimens with different beam–column connection configurations: a code-compliant, Moment-Resisting Emulative-Welded Connection detail (MRCON) and an alternative Embedded Steel Block Connection detail (ESBCON). Both specimens were tested under quasi-static reversed cyclic loading to evaluate their hysteretic response, energy dissipation, stiffness degradation, residual displacements, and modal characteristics. The results demonstrate that while MRCON provided higher initial stiffness and energy dissipation, it experienced severe localized damage and rapid structural deterioration at larger drift ratios. In contrast, the embedded steel block in ESBCON successfully distributed the damage across a wider joint region, leading to a more gradual stiffness reduction and slightly lower residual displacements. Although the overall structural efficiency of ESBCON was partially hindered by the slippage of the steel block, it achieved a competitive level of moment transfer capacity compared to the conventional welded connection detail, highlighting its potential as a damage-distributing alternative once slip-mitigating modifications (surface roughening to enhance bond and embedding within the column) are implemented.